Hanger unit



y 1966 l. 1.. HIMEBAUGH 3,261,578

HANGER UNIT Filed June 11, 1964 1N VEN TOR. A? V/A/ L Ill/7536590 6 ijpmkfi mm 93m; 7. EM

,qrfo elviys United States Patent 3,261,578 HANGER UNIT Irvin L.Himebaugh, 1703 Wayne Ave., Dayton, Ohio Filed June 11, 1964, Ser. No.374,302 4 Claims. (Cl. 248--29) This invention relates to a new andimproved hanger device for picture frames and other articles which maybe similarly hung.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved hangerdevice which is economical to fabricate, more efficient and satisfactoryin use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications and unlikely tomalfunction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a more stable device forhanging pictures and other articles which may be similarly supported.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hanger unit sodesigned to inhibit lateral shift or tilt of a sup ported article.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved hanger devicewhich may be created by a simple stamping or forming operation.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a hanger unit theelements of which possess the advantageous structural features, theinherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of operationherein mentioned.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fullyappear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected byLetters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts andcombinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter describedor illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein are shown some butobviously not necessarily the only forms of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the one portion of a hanger device whichis to be attached to an article to be supported;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the element shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the wall bracket constituting the otherportion of the invention hanger device;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the hanger element shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a reverse view of the element shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 illustrates the hanger device of FIGS. 1-5 as utilized toremovably attach a picture frame to a wall structure;

FIG. 7 is a view taken on line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 reveals a modified form of the bracket shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the element as shown in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 illustrates an application of an invention hanger unit utilizingthe device of FIGS. 8 and 9 in supporting a picture frame or similararticle.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of ref erence throughoutthe several views.

The embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings will beillustrated in reference to their use in hanging picture frames.However, it should be understood that the application thereof is by nomeans so limited.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the portion of theinvention hanger device which is to be plane generally parallel thereto.

3,261,578 Patented July 19, 1966 attached to the picture frame. Itconsists of a formed rectangular strip 10 of suitable material, such asmetal or plastic. The forming of this strip provides that a centralgenerally rectangular section 11 thereof is offset to a plane parallelto that occupied by its respective generally rectangular end portions 12and 13. The offset provides slightly convergent strip portions 14 whichjoin the respective end portions 12 and 13 to the section 11. The endportions 12 and 13 provide a base for the strip 10 and are suitablyapertured to accommodate screws S by means of which the strip may besecured to frame F.

The portion of the hanger device which is to be attached to a wallstructure is seen in FIGS 35 of the drawings. As shown, it consists ofan integrally formed plate 15 including a generally rectangular platesection 16 and a rectangularly formed finger 17 which projects from oneedge. The plate 15 is so stamped to have its central and edge portion 18including the finger 17 offset from and joined on three sides by slopingwall sections 19 to a U-shaped rim 20. The offset portion 18 is therebyplaced in a plane closely spaced from and parallel to that occupied bythe rim 20. This establishes a concavity in the plate 15 at the facethereof which is to be applied to a wall structure. Thus, as seen inFIG. 6 of the drawings, as the plate 15 is applied to a wall structureW, the rim 20 will seat in flush abutting relation to the wall structurewhile the central portion and the central portion of the upper edge ofthe plate is offset therefrom, in a The finger 17, being generallyco-planar with the plate portion 18, is thereby established generallyparallel to the rim 20 and the face of the wall which it abuts. Theportion 18 has an aperture 40 at its center to accommodate a flat headscrew 50 (FIG. 4) by means of which the bracket plate 15 may be fixed tothe wall.

As applied to a frame, the degree of offset of the central portion 11 ofthe strip type bracket 10 is just sufficient to readily accommodate therectangular finger 17 of the plate 15. Moreover, the finger 17 istherefore of a width to essentially bridge and fill the space betweenthe slightly divergent strip portions 14, the strip section 11 and theframe F.

Accordingly, having suitably and fixedly positioned the plate 15 on awall and applied .a strip bracket 10 to a frame, the frame may bevertically dropped to have the strip 10 accommodate the finger 17 in amanner believed obvious.

In the process, strip portions 14 may seat on the upper edge of theplate 15 at the divergent wall sections 19. It may therefore be seenthat as a picture frame is applied to a wall structure through themedium of the bracket 10 and the bracket plate 15 including theprojecting finger 17, the frame is provided with a most secure andstable mount. The rectangular form of the finger and the matinggenerally rectangular form of the loop defined by the generallyrectangular offset in the bracket 10 provides a mount of the picture soas to inhibit relative lateral shift or tilt. The close slip interfit ofthe hanger elements lends a firm and unconditional support to thearticle in question. It is a feature of the invention that the nature ofthe finger 17 and the bracket 10 is such that the frame or other articleto which the bracket 10 may be attached is thereby supported insubstantially parallel relation to a wall structure. In certaininstances the finger 17 may be given a slight inclination to achieve apredetermined tilt of the frame, if desired. In any event, theestablishment of the frame or other article supported by a device inaccordance with the invention is positive in character. 'It will remainas set.

The hanger unit above described is so designed that one may stablysupport an article of substantial size and weight. However, wherenecessary, the unit may be used in pairs. It may therefore be seen theinvention provides, in a very simple and economical manner, a moresecure support for a picture frame or similar articles. Theinterengagement of the simply effected bracket components as achieved informing the hanger elements of the invention leaves no question as tothe end results. The brackets simply interconnect and positivelymaintain an established interconnection.

As mentioned previously, it will be obvious from the preceding that theapplication of the invention embodiments is extensive and not limited topicture frames.

FIGS. 8 through 10 of the drawings show a modification of the bracketelement of FIGS. 1 and 2. This bracket form is generally used in pairs,each element of the pair .being supported by a device such as the plateabove described. It is particularly advantageous for use on articleshaving a limited available area to which a supporting bracket may beapplied. An example of an article of this nature is a narrow pictureframe, in which case a bracket is applied at the respective oppositesides. In such case, the bracket consists of a rectangular strip element30 having one rectangular end portion 31 providing its base. The portion31 is joined by an approximately right angled strip portion 32 to anoffset strip section 33 positioned in a plane adjacent and generallyparallel to that of the end portion 31. The remote end of the section 33terminates in a short right angled strip extremity 34 arranged oppositeand substantially parallel to the strip portion 32.

Thus one end of the strip 30 provides a base suitably apertured forseating the strip to a narrow frame section of a picture While theremainder of the strip is provided by a generally rectangular U-shapedoffset which is open at the plane of the base.

The strip element 30 provides a bracket for use with a smaller versionof the wall bracket 15, here identified in FIG. 10 of the drawings bythe numeral 15'. The finger 17' in this instance is similarlyaccommodated, as in the version previously described, by the rectangularoffset of the strip 30 and cooperates therewith to achieve a stablesupporting function in a manner believed obvious. The strip portions32-34 fully enclose and balance on the finger 17' and the appropriateadjacent portions of the plate 15'. The plate 15' further includesportions 18 and corresponding to portions 18 and 20 of the FIG. 5embodiment. The bracket 30 is adapted to be mounted to a narrow pictureframe or the like F.

The advantages of the hanger devices in accordance with the presentinvention are believed obvious. Not only is their form simple but thesimplicity of their application facilitates their use and thestablemount which they provide lends optimum supportmg strength for anyapplication. This renders the invention embodiments extremely versatilefor a variety of support functions.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of Its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosedcomprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect,and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A hanger device, including a flat body having four side edges, a midpart of the body being deformed to define on one side thereof a recessopening through a location in a top peripheral edge of the body and todefine on the other side an offset wall portion, said recess leaving onsaid one side a relatively broad and continuous three sided flat planarsurface of U-shape configuration to bear against a mounting surface, afinger projecting in the plane of and as a continuation of said offsetwall portion through and beyond the plane of said top peripheral edge ofsaid body to project relatively thereto, said finger being disposed in aplane approximately parallel to and offset from the said flat planarsurface of said one side, and aperture means in said body providing forthe mounting thereof, said aperture means comprising a single apertureopening through the deformed portion of said body within the peripheraldimensions of said body and adjacent to the base of said finger.

2. A hanger device according to claim 1, characterized in that saidsingle aperture opening is disposed equidistant between a bottomperipheral edge of said body and the outer extremity of said finger.

3. A hanger device, including .a first bracket having an attachmentportion to be mounted substantially flush against a mounting surface andhaving further an interengaging portion in freely projecting relation tosaid attachment portion, said interengaging portion being formedintegrally with said attachment portion and offset from the planethereof, a shoulder being formed along one side edge of saidinterengaging portion defining the joint between said portions, theother free side edge of said interengaging portion being turned over todefine with said shoulder a channel-like slot, and another brackethaving an offset finger to be received in said slot, one of saidbrackets being wall mountable and the other being attachable to anarticle to be mounted to a Wall, said finger being elongated to have along bearing in said first bracket, the slot in said first bracketinterengaging said finger and being correspondingly elongated to have alength exceeding that of said finger.

4. A hanger device, including a first bracket having an attachmentportion to be mounted substantially flush against a mounting surface andhaving further an interengaging portion in freely projecting relation tosaid attachment portion, said interengaging portion being formedintegrally with said attachment portion and offset from the planethereof, a shoulder being formed along one side edge of saidinterengaging portion defining the joint between said portions, theother free side edge of said interengaging portion being turned over todefine with said shoulder a channel-like slot, another bracket forcooperative engagement with the first said bracket, one of said bracketsbeing wall mountable and the other being attachable to an article to bemounted to a wall, said other bracket including a fiat body having fourside edges and being deformed in its mid part to define on one sidethereof a recess opening through a top peripheral edge of said body anddefining on the other side an offset wall portion, said recess leavingon said one side a relatively broad and continuing three sided flatplanar surface of U-shape configuration to bear against a mountingsurface, a finger projecting in the plane of and as a continuation ofsaid offset wall portion through and beyond the plane of the said topperipheral edge of said body to project relatively thereto, said fingerbeing disposed in a plane approximately parallel to and offset from theplanar surface of said one side, the projecting length of said fingerbeing elongated to have a long bearing in said first bracket, the slotin saidfirst bracket intereng g g d finger having -a length exceedingthat of said finger, and aperture means in the said body of said1,908,147

other bracket providing for the mounting thereof, said 2,103,106

aperture means comprising a single aperture opening 2,891,757

through the deformed portion of said body within the peripheraldimensions of said body and adjacent the 5 base of said finger. 942,766593,348

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,883,834 10/1932Turner 248 1,887,159 11/1932 Knight 24828 6 5/1933 Hoegger 248--28 12/1937 Yurkovitch 248-224 6/1959 Lang 248-224 FOREIGN PATENTS 5/1956Germany. 10/1947 Great Britain.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

1Q CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Examiner.

J. H. LACHEEN, J. PETO, Assistant Examiners.

1. A HANGER DEVICE, INCLUDING A FLAT BODY HAVING FOUR SIDE EDGES, A MIDPART OF THE BODY BEING DEFORMED TO DEFINE ON ONE SIDE THEREOF A RECESSOPENING THROUGH A LOCATION IN A TOP PERIPHERAL EDGE OF THE BODY AND TODEFINE ON THE OTHER SIDE AN OFFSET WALL PORTION, SAID RECESS LEAVING ONSAID ONE SIDE A RELATIVELY BROAD AND CONTINUOUS THREE SIDED FLAT PLANARSURFACE OF U-SHAPE CONFIGURATION TO BEAR AGAINST A MOUNTING SURFACE, AFINGER PROJECTING IN THE PLANE OF AND AS A CONTINUATION OF SAID OFFSETWALL PORTION THROUGH AND BEYOND THE PLANE OF SAID TOP PERIPHERAL EDGE OFSAID BODY TO PROJECT RELATIVELY THERETO, SAID FINGER BEING DISPOSED IN APLANE APPROXIMATELY PARALLEL TO AND OFFSET FROM THE SAID FLAT PLANARSURFACE OF SAID ONE SIDE, AND APERTURE MEANS IN SAID BODY PROVIDING FORTHE MOUNTING THEREOF, SAID APERTURE MEANS COMPRISING A SINGLE APERTUREOPENING THROUGH THE DEFORMED PORTION OF SAID BODY WITHIN THE PERIPHERALDIMENSIONS OF SAID BODY AND ADJACENT TO THE BASE OF SAID FINGER.